Explore some of our projects below, and contact us to start your project today.

Green spaces and trees for public health and wellbeing

Research is increasingly supporting the thesis that urban forests and urban trees are good for our physical and mental health. At UBC, we try to understand what the health and wellbeing impacts are, but especially also how we can design, plan and manage green spaces so that these benefits are optimized.

Researchers have developed a series of conceptual designs of urban orchards to be implemented in laneways around Vancouver BC, on both public and private land in response to the Greenest City 2020 plan.

This project investigates the biophysical elements (buildings, cars, and vegetation) of commuting corridors in Vancouver, BC.

Valuing Our Urban Trees

Urban trees and green spaces provide a range of benefits to local communities. These so-called ecosystems services are being identified and assessed in our research. Moreover, UBC researchers study how trees and their benefits can be maintained in urban development projects.

Researchers studied the role artificial light might play in disrupting freshwater and riparian ecosystems. Artificial light at night is gaining attention for its potential to alter ecosystems.

Determining Urban Forest Health Using Geospatial Technology

Exciting new geospatial technologies are available for assessing urban forests, their benefits, and their health. UBC researchers work closely together with municipalities to get a better overview of urban forest health.

Researchers are using geospatial technology and data to produce an up-to-date, contiguous land cover classification of the Metro Vancouver area from high-resolution remote sensing data.

Understanding Urban Forest Ecosystems

When trying to understand urban forest ecosystems, knowledge from fields such as forestry and ecology can be brought into an urban context. UBC researchers are world-leading within the field of forest ecology.

Tree death rates have more than doubled over the last few decades in old-growth forests of the western United States and southwestern British Columbia. Researchers monitor old growth forests to determine the cause and effects of this increased mortality rate.

The TAIGA project (Tree Aggressor Identification using Genomics Approaches) harnessed the power of genomics to identify the causal agents of tree diseases and tailor management.

Maintaining Healthy and Resilient Urban Forests

The management of urban forests and trees requires special approaches, adapted to the challenges associated with urban sites. Urban forest management research at UBC ranges from dealing with invasive species to development to finding innovative ways of promoting biodiversity and other benefits.

Researchers are determining the effects of human disturbances and invasion of exotic species on biodiversity within the Lulu Island Bog in Richmond.

Involving Residents in Urban Forest Science and Management

The involvement of local residents is an important part of urban forestry, at collaborative approaches build trust, bring in local knowledge, and raise awareness of urban forestry issues. Development of approaches and tools for public involvement is an important part of urban forestry research at UBC

The Multimedia Soil Map of Vancouver is an educational tool for gathering knowledge of local soils, in order to learn more about Vancouver’s environment and participate in the ever-growing urban agriculture and forestry movement.